The Natural Science Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, US, has announced it will open its SciQuarium in early summer this year, the first phase in a three stage investment programme to continue over the next three years.

Natural Science Center employees, Moser-Mayer Phoenix & Associates and Cambridge Seven Associates have contributed to the design of the US$10m (7.5m euro, £6.3m) project, which is dominated by a 22,000sq ft aquarium.

It will feature an Amazon River realm with anaconda, otter exhibit, sting ray touch tank, educational stations, behind the scene tours and a 100,000-gallon ocean tank filled with sharks, rays, eels and a variety of fish.

Phase two of the development, to cost US$5m (3.75m euro, £3.15m) and open next year, will include a dinosaur gallery exhibit, a children's science area and renovation of the herpetarium.

The final phase, also set to cost US$5m (3.75m euro, £3.15m) and due to open spring 2016, will include conservation pond, nature trails and new animals such as orangutans, komodo dragons, lion tamarins, kangaroos, red pandas, pigmy hippos and bald eagles.

Opened in 1957 the Natural Science Center is a non-profit organisation committed to science education and includes a zoo, aquarium, theatre and museum within one attraction.